Theo van Gogh had made a film earlier, depicting the lives of opressed women in some Islamic societies, icurring the wrath of some radical Islamic elements.

This is a highly reprehensible act, which deserves condemnation from everyone who believes in free-speech. While I do have great respect for Islam as a religion, there is no way such acts in its name can be tolerated by free societies!

Rest in peace, Theo van Gogh!

Never argue with idiots. They will bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

Hey, I heard that a Muslim school in Eindhoven got bombed this morning. Sounds like anti-Islam reaction is getting out of hand.

I'm afraid you're right. An elementary school was bombed in Eindhoven. It was early in the morning so school fortunately had not started yet. Earlier someone attempted to torch down a mosque under construction. Since the mosque had not been furnished yet it did not burn. The person responsible for the mosque has been arrested.

When will people see that the act of one doesn´t necessarily make the others responsible? It strikes me that when for example a Moroccan kills a girl, the whole Moroccan community is seen as murderers, while when a Dutchman kills a girl, well, then he must have been mad in his head or something but certainly not all Dutchmen are considered potential killers.

And above goes for any country of course, just mentioned a Dutch example because of the thread.

Exactly! "Islam" is not responsible for the death of Theo van Gogh anymore than "The Netherlands" bombed the Muslim school in Eindhoven...

Some dumbshit idiot or small group is responsible for both acts.

Unfortunately, minorities are almost always held collectively responsible for the actions of some or any of their members, simply because they are visibly different. In the end, this perpetuates a psychological cycle in which people can sense they are outsiders and viewed with suspicion, so they begin to resent the majority...

This phenomenon is documented historically with groups in many countries (African-Americans in the US, Pakistanis and Bangladeshis in the UK, Roma(Gypsies) in Eastern Europe, etc.) One of the most interesting examples is Koreans. In the US they are seen as a high-achieving and well-integrated minority. In Japan, they are treated poorly and have a high rate of failure. Are Koreans "stupid" in Japan and "smart" in the US? No...people live up to or down to the expectations that are placed on them (whether in the classroom, with crime, etc.). Moral is: don't blame whole groups for the actions of a few. It's not only unfair, but it INCREASES the likelihood that others in the blamed group will act in the ways you are condemning...